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Ottawa River Coalition

EIN 34-1760201 · Lima, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Ottawa River Coalition is to promote the wise management and use of the Ottawa River and its watershed as a valuable community resource. The Coalition's primary exempt purpose is combatting/preventing water pollution.

Income
$19,036
Spending
$12,724
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
23.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$6,622, secretary/executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $12,724 spent. CODE 351 1) The Coalition's members believe the organization's most effective role or function is to be a forum for stakeholders. To that end, we conducted 1 annual meeting, 5 regular meetings, and 6 committee meetings. 2) 100 people attended the annual Ottawa River Cleanup event. 3) The funding the organization pays out to the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District for assistance is extremely critical to most accomplishments. 4) Community outreach/education programs involving over 3000 people of all ages in 2025. 5) The organization's website is a key community outreach tool, reaching over 1000 unique users this year and making over 30,000 impressions. 6) The organization awarded 3 college students with scholarships in 2025. These funds are kept in a chamber of commerce community fund account. 7) The Tired of Tired project took off in 2024, and continues to be a great community outreach tool. ORC members removed over 200 from the Ottawa river and disposed of them properly.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.